Traditionally best known for its gasoline-powered engines for residential outdoor power equipment, Briggs & Stratton Corp. is transforming its business to focus more heavily on commercial and rental products and presented products from Briggs & Stratton, Allmand Bros Inc., and Billy Goat at the ARA Show. This strategy is working as the company recently reported 18 percent growth within its commercial business in the trailing 12 months; and the rental market is playing an important role in this growth. The momentum continued at the ARA Show, where innovations and product enhancements from the company's Vanguard, Allmand and Billy Goat brands were featured.
Vanguard continues to expand its lineup of single cylinder horizontal engines, which were built from the ground up based on feedback from more than 200 commercial dealers and contractors worldwide. The Vanguard 200 (now available) and the Vanguard 400 (available later this year) were featured at the show. Both engines come equipped with TransportGuard, Vanguard's single ignition and fuel shutoff designed to prevent oil dilution during transport; and in the Vanguard 200, air filter and oil changes have been significantly reduced.
One size doesn't fit all, especially when it comes to different jobsites. So this year, Allmand featured three extensions to its Maxi-Air Compressor line and two extensions to its Maxi-Power Generator line, including new models and new engine tiers. With compressors ranging from 100 to 400 cfm and generators ranging from 63 to 150 kVa – all with Tier 4 Final Engines - businesses can right-size their equipment for their job sites. Allmand recently announced a plant expansion in Holdrege, Neb. This expansion will increase production capacity and speed-to-market with new innovations. The expansion will support further growth of the Allmand business and build on its existing foundation for Allmand of providing superior products, services and workmanship to the market.
Billy Goat continues to provide cutting edge performance and productivity within its product range to the rental industry. The new Billy Goat hydro-drive self-propelled auger, the only dedicated self-propelled auger on the market, as well as the new Next Gen 25-inch PLUGR Aerator, for aeration productivity featuring self-propelled rear-wheel drive and in-ground turning for operator ease, launched at this year's show. Rental businesses also had the opportunity to view the newly enhanced 18-inch PLUGR Aerator, ideal for smaller properties with the ability to aerate up to 22,000 sq. ft./hour, and Hurricane stand-on blowers powered by a Vanguard V-Twin engine, broadening Billy Goat's world class blower line to now be the largest in the market.
"Our commercial and rental businesses are growing, and they're growing fast," said Todd Teske, Chairman, president & CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corp. "As we continue to make our mark within the rental industry, we take pride in the opportunity to showcase the many innovative products that will help our customers get tough jobs done more efficiently, and ultimately help those within the rental industry be more profitable."
